Match package



Aug. 27, 1940. c. E. GRAY 2,212,773

' MATCH PACKAGE Filed Nov. 6, 1937 Patented Aug. 27, 1940 UNITED fiTATES PATENT OFFICE MATCH PACKAGE Clarence Elmer Gray, St. Petersburg, Fla. Application November 6, 1937, Serial No. 173,259

2 Claims.

It is primarily designed to make available a supply of matches in strip form enclosed in a pocket container that will eliminate the possibility of accidental ignition of all the matches in the container when one match is being ignited intentionally. It is also designed to furnish a supply of matches in a container as thin as possible to overcome the annoyance of unsightly and cumbersome bulge in pockets and purses. It

is further designed with the idea in mind of wrapping this match package within the outer wrapper of a conventional package of factorymade cigarettes or fastening it to the side of a package of said cigarettes. Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 are of match assemblies, or strips, which can be used in the match container above mentioned and shown by Figures 5 and 6.

In the form of strip shown in Fig. 1 the separating stem cuts I extend to a point (shown by line 2) approximately inch from edge 3 of base or match stem material; from point (shown by line 2) to edge 3, and extending on a line with stem cuts, are perforations or indentations 4 of suflicient character as to weaken the stem material where applied, thus permitting one match at a time, or as many as may be desired, to be easily broken oil or otherwise separated from the main assembly of matches. Individual match stems are not weakened at any point throughout their entire length and, when detached from the main assembly of matches, no residue or projecting portion whatever of the base or anchorage material is left on the remaining assembly of matches consequently, a straight, clean edge from match head to match stem end of the match next in line is always maintained as the matches are singly or in groups detached from main match assemblage.

In the form of strip shown in Fig. 2 the individual stem cuts extend completely through the match stem material, and the group of match stems thus produced are fastened together by a strip of adhesive paper 5, or other material, being applied at right angles across the stem ends. The

" adhesive material will be of such width as to securely combine the group of matches into one single-layer unit and-hold in true position, and may be applied on either one or both sides of the stem ends. As these matches are individually broken 011, or otherwise detached from the main assemblage of matches, they will also carry with them that part of the adhesive bindingtogether material 5 that is adhered to their stem ends, and in so doing will leave a straight, clean edge from match head to match stem end of the next match in line in the main assembly of matches. Also the same advantage holds true relative length of match stems as described of matches shown in Fig. 1.

It will be noted that the impregnated heads 5 of the matches shown in both Figs. 1 and 2 overlap each other to some extent due to their width being greater than their respective match stems which lay contiguous with each other and adjoining but not parallel and on the same plane side by side. Using matches for assembling into single-layer units, which can be and are so manufactured that the match heads are not enlarged, as to width, when the match-stem tips are impregnated, all matches will lay parallel and 1 contiguous and adjoining throughout their entire length, thus making a thinner unit at matchhead-ends than in the case of matches shown in Figs. 1 and 2,-and the same number of like style, type, and width matches can obviously be assembled into single-layer units as shown in Figs. 1 and 2; and any type and style of matches can be assembled into single-layer units as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and when so assembled can be packaged in exactly the same type match con- 5 tainer as shown in Fig. 5, the only difference being that said containers will vary in thickness to correspond with and to accommodate the thickness of the type and style of matches they are to contain.

In the form of strip. shown in Fig. 3 the impregnated match heads are alternately reversed and point in opposite directions, with the match heads projecting beyond the stem ends of adjoining matches. This distance of projection 85 may vary in length if for any reason it should be so desired. In this assemblage the group of matches are in asingle-layer unit due to the fact that the separating cuts of match stems extend from both outer edges of match stem material to only certain points (shown by lines 6) on each side of the longitudinal center of said match stem material. The individual match stem cuts are connected by a series of perforations or indentations 4 across the uncut portion of the match stem material, thus weakening said material at that location sufiiciently so as to require only slight bend, tear, or pull stresses in order to detach a single match or group of matches from the main assembly.

' In the form of strip shown in Fig. 4 the impregnatedmatch heads are also alternately reversed and point in opposite directions, and the match heads overlap, in a horizontal plane, the t m. ends of adjoining matches, but in this instance the group of matches are fastened together and made into a single-layer unit by a strip of adhesive paper 5, or other material, being applied at right angles across the match stems at a central location between the match heads. This adhesive material will be of such width as to securely bind the matches together and hold the same in true position. It may be applied to either one or both sides of the match stems, but, when applied to only one side of the match stems the assemblage becomes a flexible unit, 1. e., a group of matches so fastened together may be packaged in a container that is not straight, but which has one or more curves or bends so as to conform to the inside. or outside surface of, for instance, certain smoking tobacco containers. The side of match assembly on which the adhesive material is applied will, of necessity, always be the inside or short radius of any curvature in its respective container, and the opposite sides therefore will always be the outer and longer radius of any curvature in its container.

It will be noted that matches assembled as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 lay parallel and on the same plane; that the match stems lay contiguous and adjoining except for a varying distance of overlap; and it is obvious that in an assemblage of matches having heads of no greater width than their respective stems, there would be no necessity of said match heads overlapping the stem ends of adjoining matches, therefore the tips of said match heads could be on a line even with stem ends of adjoining matches, in which case all matches in an assembly could and would lay contiguous and adjoining from tips of match heads to ends of match stems, thereby making for longer match stems with no additional width of assembly and requiring no change whatever in the match container. It will also be noted that the same number of any given type and style of matches can be assembled in a single-layer unit of equal length as can a like type, style, and number of matcheswhen assembled as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. And it will also be noted that the inside vertical measurement of that part of any match container enclosing the match heads can be considerably less when designed for matches assembled as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, as compared with containers made to enclose matches assembled as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Also, matches assembled as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, due to match heads being alternately opposed to each other, make possible a more uniform and symmetrical container for their enclosure, and in which the match assembly has no tendency whatever to wedge, jam, or otherwise stick in containers.

The match containers shown in Figs. 5 and 6 may be made of stiff paper, cardboard, tin, or any other suitable material, and are so designed, formed and shaped that the inside surfaces will sufliciently conform to the shape and overall dimensions of the complete match assembly they are to contain as to form a hollow tube or closed channel for said match assembly, and in and out of which said match assembly can slide without undue friction. That part or parts of the match containers that immediately embrace the match heads will, of necessity, be larger (inside vertical measurement) than the other portion or parts of containers that enclose the stems of the matches.

On one side of the containers is-an opening 1 of such size and shape as to permit contact with the match stems of some part of the end of a finger or thumb, or any article used in lieu thereof; and by which slight but suflicient outward or longitudinal pressure can be applied to the match stems as to cause the complete assembly of matches to slide outward from within the container, and the matches will emerge, one at a time, from the open end of their container and thereby be made accessible, singly or in groups, in order to grasp and tear, bend, twist, or otherwise detach from the assembly such matches as may still remain assembled and enclosed in the container.

There are numerous and various ways in which to incorporate a restraining action on the match assembly so as to hold it securely within the match container except when intentionally being ejected, and following specific mention is made of several ways this feature can be accomplished: (1) A spring tongue or pressure strip, soldered or otherwise fastened on inside of containers; (2) a cut portion of one side of con tainers being bent or sprung inward; (3) or one or more indentations of any size or shape, and on either one or both sides of containers-all for the purpose of applying restraining pressure on the match stems; or (4) the sides, or some portion of the sides of the containers, may be made to be so close together as to exert a slight squeeze on the match stems, and thereby prevent accidental displacement of the match assembly. Striker strip, plate, or material to be applied where most convenient and practical.

I claim:

1. A match package comprising a receptacle containing a fiat strip of matches, said receptacle being of substantially rectangular shape having opposed front and back walls spaced apart sufficiently to accommodate said strip of matches therebetween, the cross sectional configuration of the receptacle closely conforming to the cross sectional configuration of the match strip, said match strip consisting of a plurality of matches arranged in a single plane and weakly connected together, said receptacle having one end open and having means whereby said match strip may he slid relatively to said receptacle in a direction at right angles to the matches whereby one or more matches may be projected through said open end of receptacle and torn from said strip, the edge of the receptacle at the open end thereof serving as a tearing guide for the matches.

2. A match receptacle for a strip of matches, said receptacle being generally rectangular in shape, having front and back walls spaced apart sufficiently to accommodate a single strip of matches, the cross sectional configuration of the receptacle closely conforming to the cross sectional configuration of the strip of matches, said receptacle having one end open from which open end matches may be ejected by means of pressure applied to and a sliding motion exerted against match stems in a direction toward the open end of said receptacle, an opening in one side of said receptacle arranged at right angles to the match stems whereby the pressure and motion may be applied to the match stems to eject same, the edge of said receptacle at the open end thereof serving as a tearing guide for the matches.

CLARENCE ELMER GRAY. 

